Barracuda struggles continue in shutout loss to Texas Stars

Kicking off their five-game road trip, the San Jose Barracuda saw their win less streak extend to a season high five games after being shutout 3-0 by the Texas Stars (AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars) at the Cedar Park Center Wednesday night.

The Barracuda, who were leapfrogged by Texas in the standings for second place in the Pacific Division, got 33-saves in net from goaltender Aaron Dell, who was named the game’s number three star for his solid play. In his last two starts, Dell has made 78 saves on 83 shot attempts but has only received one goal of offensive support total from the Barracuda skaters in those two starts.

Texas forward Curtis McKenzie had a three point night with an assist and two goals, the first of which came at 6:15 of the first period when he beat Dell with a quick one-timer shot from deep in the right face-off circle for his eighth goal of the season. McKenzie’s second goal was a power play rebound score at 8:27 of the third period after Dell had made the initial save on defenseman Esa Lindell’s left point shot and the rebound attempt by forward Greg Rallo.

Texas’ second goal was scored by forward Brett Ritchie, who corralled a right point cross zone pass inside the left face-off circle and ripped the puck blocker side past Dell for a power play goal, his 10th goal of the season.

NOTES… Shots on goal were 36-35 in favor of Texas… The Barracuda went 0-for-5 on the power play and 3-for-5 on the penalty kill… Dell is now 6-8-5 with a 2.60 goals-against-average and .915 save percentage… Barracuda forwards Bryan Lerg and Micheal Haley finished tied with a team high five shots on goal… The Barracuda fell to 18-8-4 on the road and 18-13-8 with 44 points overall… The Barracuda are back in action Friday (Jan. 29) when the travel to play the San Antonio Rampage with puck drop scheduled for 5:30 p.m/pt.

THREE STARS
1. Maxime Legace – Texas (35 saves, Shutout win)
2. Curtis McKenzie – Texas (2-1-3)
3. Aaron Dell – Barracuda (33 saves)

LINES
Goodrow / Carpenter / Goldobin
Lerg (C) / Langlois / Parkes
Haley (A) / Smith / McCarthy (A)
Torres / Timmins / Emanuelsson

DEFENSE
Young / Ryan
Stollery / Bergman
Mueller / Cundari

GOALIES
Dell
Grosenick

SCRATCHES
Doremus
Gallant
Jevpalovs
McNally
McLaren (inj)